Lyra lay on her bed, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight. Kael had left her alone to rest, his usual concern clear in his gaze before he left, insisting she take things easy. Although grateful for his care, she found it difficult to relax. Her mind wandered to the child growing inside her and the unknowns ahead. She drifted in and out of sleep, lulled by the stillness of the room and the comforting warmth around her.
A faint breeze stirred through her open window, lifting the edge of the curtain in a slow, gentle wave. At first, Lyra thought it was nothing more than the night air, but something felt… different. The shadows on the walls seemed to grow darker, shifting like a living thing. She sat up, a strange chill prickling down her spine, her heart beating just a little faster.
"Who's there?" Her voice was soft but steady.
